BCX Hitch Height

[Coopjl]

We recently purchased a 2020 Basecamp X which we will pick up down in Missoula in May (waiting until after winter here in Fairbanks).

Trying to decide if the Blue Ox Sway Pro 0550 will have enough vertical adjustment to match the height of the trailer.

The bottom of the TV’s hitch receiver is 21”s off the ground

If anyone could give me an approximate height of their Basecamp’s hitch, I can then provide those measurements to Blue Ox and ask them if their hitch would have enough adjustment.

Thank You in advance. I want to purchase our WD hitch system now instead of waiting until the last minute, but I want to make sure everything will be compatible.

[A W Warn]

The top of ball is 18", according to the owners manual on page 4-2.
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...ers-Manual.pdf

PS:
Depending on how stiff your tow vehicle's springs are, you will need to set the hitch ball ~1/2" to 1" high to allow for sagging under load. But, since it is a single axle trailer leveling is not so important as with a multi axle trailer.

[Coopjl]

Thank you!

[Aussiefun]

Just picked up our 2019 X, and the top of the ball when it’s hitched up to our vehicle is 19.5, and we need to flip the hitch to get it a little higher in order to get more weight on the front of the van. Our bumper is in the way. We need to get and extension to our hitch.

[BayouBiker]

Originally Posted by Aussiefun

Just picked up our 2019 X, and the top of the ball when it’s hitched up to our vehicle is 19.5, and we need to flip the hitch to get it a little higher in order to get more weight on the front of the van. Our bumper is in the way. We need to get and extension to our hitch.

If I understand what you are saying, then I don't think it's a good idea. The trailer ideally should ride flat so the top of the ball should be as close to 18 as possible hitched up. To get more weight on the front of your tow vehicle install a Weight distribution hitch with light torsion bars, say 500-700 pounds.

Raising the ball will not significantly change the weight distribution as the static loads and lever moments will be nearly the same for any reasonable ball height. Happy to explain more about why this is the case.

[Coopjl]

Thanks Brian.

I understand the need for a WD hitch. My question really is to ensure the hitch that I am considering can get low enough to have the top of the ball at the correct height (~18 1/2” to 19”) since my hitch receiver is higher than normal

I have written Blue Ox with the specifics of my setup asking them if the would let me know whether or not I can use their standard hitch or if I need to purchase a hitch that can provide me more drop.

Thank You for your input!

[BayouBiker]

Ah now I get it, thanks for straightening me out.

Okay so Blue Ox makes 9" and 12" extension shanks so if you need room to clear the bumper before the shank extension the 9 and 12 refer to the distance between the CL of the receiver pin and shank holes. Perhaps the longer one will clear your bumper. The Shank corner brace extends back from the shank hole CL 5 inches so the 12 inch extension would give you 7 inches from the receiver pin hole to the corner brace. The shanks come in 2, 7, 9 and 11 hole height. the holes are 1 1/4 between centers. I have the 7 hole shank and on the lowest setting the top of the ball sits 1 inch above the top of the receiver 2 inch square hole. If that's not low enough the 9 hole will go another 2 1/2 inches lower and so on.

The standard shank is the 9 inch extension 7 hole shank for a 2 inch receiver. I have the standard one.

[Coopjl]

Thanks so much Brian

That is exactly the information I was looking for.

Looks like I’ll buy the 11 hole shank.

[Spirit_of_76]

What is the correct ball height for the basecampX trailer when mounted on the truck after suspension sag?

[BayouBiker]

18 inches. The trailer frame should be level when towing.

[16XBoondock]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

The top of ball is 18", according to the owners manual on page 4-2.
https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...ers-Manual.pdf

PS:
Depending on how stiff your tow vehicle's springs are, you will need to set the hitch ball ~1/2" to 1" high to allow for sagging under load. But, since it is a single axle trailer leveling is not so important as with a multi axle trailer.

How is the height for the 16X the same as the 16 when the 16X has a 3" lift? The lift is between the axle and the frame so I would expect the hitch height to be 3" higher unless there is a drop on the tongue to bring it back down.

[BayouBiker]

My information could be wrong. I took it from the manual as well. I have not measured it directly. It would stand to reason it is higher as well, I agree.